Tool case and mold for manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A tool case has a base and a cover. The base has two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface and multiple cavities defined in the inner surface to receive tools inside. The cover is pivotally connected to the base and has two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface and multiple cavities defined in the inner surface to receive tools insides. The inner surface and the outer surface of each one of the base and the cover are formed in different colors. A shoulder is formed on each side of the base and the cover to make colors of the inner surfaces of the base and the cover been exposed from the shoulders. Accordingly, a tool case with an aesthetic and versatile appearance is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool case and a mold, and more particularly to a tool case with an aesthetic and versatile appearance and a mold for manufacturing the same.

2. Description of Related Art

To regularly trim and carry tools, a tool case is always used and substantially comprises a base and a cover. Each one of the base and the cover has multiple cavities defined in the inner surface to receive tools inside. However, the conventional tool case is always made of plastic material in a single color, so the appearance of the conventional tool is monotonous and not aesthetic.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a tool case to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide a tool case having an aesthetic and versatile appearance. The tool case has a base and a cover. The base has two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface and multiple cavities defined in the inner surface to receive tools inside. The cover is pivotally connected to the base and has two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface and multiple cavities defined in the inner surface to receive tools insides. The inner surface and the outer surface of each one of the base and the cover are formed in different colors. A shoulder is formed on each side of the base and the cover to make colors of the inner surfaces of the base and the cover be exposed from the shoulders.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool case in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool case in FIG. 1 showing the tool case in an open condition;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side plan view of a mold for manufacturing a tool case in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an operational cross sectional side plan view of the mold in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tool case in accordance with he present invention comprises a base (10) and a cover (12). The base (10) has two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface (102) and multiple cavities (104) defined in the inner surface (102) to receive tools inside. The cover (12) is pivotally connected to the base (10) and has two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface (122) and multiple cavities (124) defined in the inner surface (122) to receive tools insides. The inner surface (102, 122) and the outer surface of each one of the base (10) and the cover (12) are formed in different colors. A shoulder (106,126) is formed on each side of the base (10) and the cover (12). With the arrangement of the shoulders (106.126), the colors of the inner surfaces (102,122) of the base (10) and the cover (12) are exposed from the shoulders (106,126). Accordingly, different colors are visible from the appearance of the tool case, such that the appearance of the tool case is aesthetic and versatile.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a mold for manufacturing a tool case with shoulders (106,126) formed on a base (10) and a cover (12) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the present invention comprises a female mold (40) and a male mold (30). The female mold (40) has an inner surface and at least one forming segment (42) defined in the inner surface. Each forming segment (42) is used to form an outer surface of a corresponding one of the base (10) and the cover (12). Each forming segment (42) has a forming cavity (44) for forming an outer surface of the corresponding one of the base (10) and the cover (12).

The male mold (30) corresponds to and selectively combines with the female mold (40) and has an inner surface and at least one forming segment (32). Each forming segment (32) is formed in the inner surface, aligns with one of the at least one forming segment (42) on the female mold (40) and is used to form an inner surface (102,122) of a corresponding one of the base (10) and the cover (12). Each forming segment (32) has two opposite sides, multiple cavity protrusions (34) for forming cavities (104,124) in the corresponding one of the base (10) and the cover (12) and two shoulder protrusions (36). The shoulder protrusions (36) are formed respectively on the two sides and partially overlap with the forming cavity (42) in the corresponding forming segment (42) on the female mold (40). With the arrangement of the shoulder protrusions (36), shoulders (106,126) are formed on the corresponding one of the base (10) and the cover (12).

To manufacturing a tool case with shoulders (106,126), a heated plastic tube with two portions (50,52) in different colors are located between the male mold (30) and the female mold (40). After combining the male mold (30) and the female mold (40), the portions (50,52) of the heated plastic tube are squeezed between the male and female molds (30,40). Air is then blown into a space inside the plastic tube, and the portions (50,52) will be expanded so that cavities (104,124) and shoulders (106,126) will be formed on the portion (50) corresponding to the male mold (30) by the cavity protrusions (34) and the shoulder protrusions (36) on the male mold (30). Accordingly, a base (10) or a cover (12) with multiple cavities (104,124) and shoulders (106,126) are formed with the mold.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A tool case comprising: a base having two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface and multiple cavities defined in the inner surface to receive tools inside; and a cover pivotally connected to the base and having two opposite sides, an outer surface, an inner surface and multiple cavities defined in the inner surface to receive tools insides, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface of each one of the base and the cover are formed in different colors; and a shoulder is formed on each side of the base and the cover to make colors of the inner surfaces of the base and the cover be exposed from the shoulders.
 2. A mold for manufacturing a tool case as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a female mold having an inner surface and at least one forming segment defined in the inner surface, wherein each one of the at least one forming segment is used to form an outer surface of a corresponding one of the base and the cover and has a forming cavity for forming an outer surface of the corresponding one of the base and the cover; and a male mold corresponding to and selectively combining with the female mold and having an inner surface and at least one forming segment, wherein each one of the at least one forming segment is formed in the inner surface, aligns with one of the at least one forming segment on the female mold, is used to form an inner surface of a corresponding one of the base and the cover and has two opposite sides; multiple cavity protrusions for forming cavities in the corresponding one of the base and the cover; and two shoulder protrusions formed respectively on the two sides and partially overlapping with the forming cavity in the corresponding forming segment on the female mold. 